Courts / Dublin / Report
Victim of 'vicious' assault later died by suicide
Summary
John Kavanagh, 55, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a "vicious" attack on November 4, 2020, in which he kicked the victim in the head while the victim lay on the ground. The assault, lasting over 30 minutes, involved weapons used by other participants but not by Kavanagh. The victim, who was hospitalised with head injuries, died by suicide one week later. Kavanagh, who has no fixed abode and lives in Dublin 2, had no prior convictions. Judge Melanie Greally described the incident as "particularly vicious and violent" and noted the victim's ordeal was "very frightening and distressing." She sentenced Kavanagh to two‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation. The court accepted that Kavanagh's remorse was genuine and that he had a lesser role than the other two assailants. The case was prosecuted by Fiona Crawford BL, with Garda Jordan Kennedy providing evidence of the assault and Kavanagh's arrest.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Victim of 'vicious' assault later died by suicide. Charges or matters: assault causing harm at Fleet Street, Dublin city centre on November 4, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 4, 2020 Incident
- 2021-11-25 Publication
Why: He agreed that Kavanagh was not friends with his co-accused but rather was only with them because they had alcohol. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm at Fleet Street, Dublin city centre on November 4, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Melanie Greally said Kavanagh was involved in what was "by any standards a particularly vicious and violent assault" which lasted over 30 minutes during which implements were used. Judge Greally sentenced Kavanagh to two-and-a-half years imprisonment but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 12 months.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Dublin
- Fleet Street
- Dublin city
Topics
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